Eighteen-year-old Kadeem Graham and 17-year-old Genelle Bharat emerged Mr and Ms County T&T at Porky's Restaurant and Lounge in Port-of-Spain. The first of its kind, organised by Roger Johnson, a tutor for the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition, the contest fielded five young men and five young women, each representing a county of T&T. Graham, a student at Queen's Royal College, St Clair, and determined to be an electrical engineer, emerged on stage in a white trench coat with a turquoise shirt with blue neck and cuff ruffles. Like Graham, Bharat wooed the judges and patrons with her eloquent response to the question, "Should pageants be just about a pretty face, and why?"
Bharat assured the audience that beauty was not just skin deep, but included the positive internal characteristics in a person, qualities that far surpassed one's appearance. Both Graham and Bharat gave informative synopses of the counties they represented, Tobago and Victoria, respectively. The pageant was staged in two segments. The first, titled Caribbean Couture, was held on June 27, and saw the contestants being interviewed and modelling. They were also required to do performances.
Displaying a diverse blend of talent, wit and intelligence, the ten finalists performed an opening dance, paraded in formal wear and took part a Q&A segment.
In the male category, Carlos Charles and John Sterling secured second and third places, while Ayana Lynch and Naykasa Thatcher placed first and second runners-up, respectively, among the women. The competition, sponsored by Ma Pau Members Club and bpTT, was hosted by Kwesi Jeffers and Naomi Abiola. Abiola also performed an item titled The Essence of the Rhyme is Where yuh put yuh Child. The programme also fielded appearances by Clevis Charles, Lisa Ross, Amritam Shakti Dance Co, Lady Africa and Joseph Hesikah.
Results
Female
Best Caribbean Couture: Brithney Jones
Best Talent: Genelle Bharat
Most Punctual: Genelle Bharat
Most Disciplined: Genelle Bharat
Most Intelligent: Ayana Lynch
Best Gown: Ayana Lynch
Miss Congeniality: Nayoka Russell
Miss Photogenic: Nayoka Russell
Male
Best Caribbean Couture: John Sterling
Best Talent: John Sterling
Mr Photogenic: John Sterling
Mr Congeniality: Kadeem Graham
Most Intelligent: Jimmy Beldow
Best formal wear: Jimmy Beldow